On Sunday, 15 high school seniors formally graduate after successfully completing four years of early-morning seminary classes.

The classes are held in the morning before school, with some starting as early as 5:50 a.m. and run for approximately 50 minutes. The students balance seminary with school work and a host of extra-curricular activities.

In addition to the graduating seniors, another 29 “lettered.” The Lettering Award is awarded to students who attended at least 90 percent of classes, completed all required scripture reading (including 200 days of reading), memorized 25 specific passages of scripture and met a number of other qualifications.

“The dedication of our seminary students shows their deep commitment to follow Jesus Christ,” said Ted Parsons, president of the Bloomfield Hills Stake of the Church. “The lessons they learn in seminary will bless their lives for years to come.”

Seminary curriculum is organized in a sequential or chapter by chapter manner. Instruction concentrates on a different volume of scripture each year, rotating between the following four courses: Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants and Church History.

By the time a student graduates from seminary, he or she will have completed the study of all of the standard works of scripture.

Additional information on the seminary program can be found at Mormon Newsroom.